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To accommodate visitors to campus for the Total Solar Eclipse, WKU has delayed the start of classes on all campuses until 4pm on Monday, August 21, 2017. Offices at all WKU campuses will observe regular hours that day. For more information, visit wku.edu/eclipse.

Fashion Merchandising Students Travel to Las Vegas for MAGIC Tradeshow

From August 20-24, 2012, Dr. Devona L. Dixon traveled with seven Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising (IDFM) students to Las Vegas to experience MAGIC, which is the fashion industry’s premier tradeshow. The students were enrolled in DMT 426 Market Trends, a hybrid online course and study tour coordinated by WKU Study Away office.

The course experience and study tour proved to be a great learning and networking opportunity. Students studied and were exposed to current market trends in apparel, buying, and global sourcing. Each assignment completed prior to attending the event prepared them for the three day “buying experience”. They assumed the role of apparel buyer while attending MAGIC tradeshow and prepared for the event by creating a schedule, identifying vendors to visits, familiarizing themselves with current trade, manufacturing and sourcing issues related to retailing and apparel.

Once there, the group visited vendors representing brands including Jessica Simpson, Steve Madden, Betsy Johnson, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, and lesser known designer Lanvand. Representatives from True Religion and Fergie Shoes educated the group on their brands and company through informal personal group sessions. The groups’ schedule also included seminars on topics including using social media to reach male consumers, the future of retailing global and domestic, starting your own business, and spring and fall 2013 trends. All seminars were presented by professionals in the industry. The group also attended the WWD fashion show and observed several fashion photo shoots.

One student had this to say about the study tour. “I would recommend this class to anyone. It was an awesome experience that most people would never get. It was not only a great way to experience the industry, but it also allows you to make connections and get your name out there a little bit. Overall, this trip was a great time. I want to thank you, Ms. Dixon.”

MAGIC is the largest men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessory tradeshow in the United States. The show brings together buyers, over 3,500 vendors, and numerous global sourcing agents from around the world. The event takes place in February and August each year.

The WKU Institute for Rural Health (IRH) in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) received a $50,000 grant from the Good Samaritan Foundation Inc., a ministry of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Drs. Mkanta and Chumbler and Mr. Ezekekwu (CHHS) and other team members, Dr. Yang and Mr. Abdollahi (Wayne State University), Dr. Saigal (University of Michigan), and Dr. Mejia de Grubb (Baylor College of Medicine) have recently completed a multi-state s